Brace



n so, 1931. R. w. HAULBROQK ET AL 1,812 529 BRACE Filed March 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l elf too" m: o.

June 30, 1931- R. w. HAULBROOK ET AL 1,312,529

BRACE Filed March 24, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRACE Application filed March 24, 1930. Serial No. 438,590.

This invention aims to provide a simple means for stiffening a weak back, or for reinforcing the back of any person, during laborious operations requiring stooping, such 5 as picking cotton, or picking up other obj ects. The invention aims, moreover, to provide a device of the class described, which will accommodate itself to the body of the wearer and occasion little or no discomfort.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the foregoing and other objects in 15 view, which willappear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes 29 may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in perspective, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22 of Figure 1, parts remaining in elevation;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an elevation of the frame, the body-engaging means being detached Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the device applied and in operation.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a frame, including a main strip 1, made of resilient metal, such as steel. A head 2, in the form of a cross bar, is provided and the head 2 preferably is made out of the same metal as the main strip 1. By means of a pivot element 3, such as a bolt and nut, the head 2 is secured intermediate its ends to the upper end of the body or main strip 1, for swinging adjustment, in a way which will be obvious when Figure 5 of the drawings is examined.

The device includes a foot 4, in the form of a cross bar. The foot 4 preferably is somewhat longer than the head 2. The foot 4 generally is made out of the same material as the main strip or body 1. The foot 4 is held on the lower end of the body 1 by a pivot 5, for swinging adjustment, and there are several holes 6 in the lower end of the strip 1, for the'reception of the pivot element 5, there by afiording adjustment for persons of different statures. Because the head 2 and the foot 4 can swing for adjustment on their respective pivot elements, as shown in Figure 5, the frame will adapt itself to the movement of the wearer, when theframe is held on the person of the wearer by a. body-engaging means now to be described.

The body-engaging means comprises a pair of depending flexible back pieces, markedby the numeral 7, made of canvas or other suitable material. The width of the back pieces 7 isequal to about half the length of the foot 4, an observation which will be understood readily'when Figure 1 of the drawings is noted. At 'their :upper ends, the back pieces 7 are provided with loops 8 in which the endsof the foot 4 are received. Upwardly and forwardly extended flexible shoulder straps 9 are provided. The lower ends of the shoulder straps 9 are secured, by stitchings -10, 'or otherwise, to the loops 8 of the back pieces 7 at points about midway between the vertical edges of the back pieces 7. The upper rear ends of the back straps 9 are secured by clamps 12, such as bolts and washers, to the ends of the head 2. The lower ends of the shoulder straps 9 and the loops 8 of the back pieces 7 are secured to the ends of the foot 4 by any suitable fastening means 11 extended through holes 14 in the foot 4. Leg straps 15 are secured intermediate their ends to the back pieces 7, and buckles 16 are interposed in the leg straps 15. Buckles 17 may also be interposed in the shoulder straps 9.

In practical operation, the straps 15 extend around the legs of the wearer, and are held in place by the buckles 16. The back pieces 7 extend upwardly over the buttocks. The flexible main strip 1 extends upwardly along the spine, and the straps 9 extend over the shoulders, downwardly, and under the arms, as indicated in Figure 6, the necessary adjustments in the straps 9 being brought about through the instrumentality of the buckles 17 When the wearer stoops, the strip 1 will bend, and will take much of the strain ofi the back, the strip 1 aiding the wearer in reassuming an erect posture, owing to the resiliency of the strip 1, and its tendency to assume a straight form.

The" device is simple in construction, but it will bewfound thoroughly effective for the ends in view, reinforcement being combined.

with adjustability, simplicity in construction, and ease of repair. I Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is': j V v, i I A back reinforcement forv persons 7 who 'must stoop, and use legs and arms while in a stooping posture,'the. reinforcement comprising a resilient main strip, of a length to eX- tend from a point adjacent the wearers shoul- 'ders to a point slightly above the buttocks, a

transverse head pivoted intermediate its ends to the upper end of the main strlp, a transverse foot pivoted, intermediate its ends to the lower end of: the main strip, shoulder straps having their upper ends connected to the head ;on opposite sides of the pivotal I mounting of the head, and having their lower ends connected to the foot on opposite sides of-the pivotal mounting of the foot, the head being somewhat shorter than the foot, to keep theupper ends of the straps close enoughto gether so that the straps can pass down under the arms, clearof the arm pits, and impede the action of the arms to a minimum extent,

and depending leg-engaging means mounted on the foot,-the pivotal mountlng of the foot and the head giving the reinforcement a' lateral flexibility fromr its extreme upper .end to its extreme lower end.

= In testimony vthat. we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto afiixed ourvsigna-r tures. f

ROBERTW; HAULBROOK; f -VW. JPCOTTONJ 

